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SAN MATEO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--EndoGastric Solutions® (EGS), the leader in endoluminal reconstructive
treatment for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), announced today
that industry veteran Skip Baldino has been named President and CEO. Mr.
Baldino brings nearly three decades of healthcare experience to EGS,
including four years as President, Americas for Given Imaging Ltd., a
leader in gastrointestinal diagnostics and imaging that Covidien
acquired for $860 million in March 2014.

“I’m thrilled to join EGS at this pivotal point in the company’s
evolution,” Mr. Baldino said. “It’s clear that patients suffering from
GERD need an option beyond palliative medication to mask the symptoms of
the condition or invasive surgery to overcorrect the underlying cause.
Based on the growing body of clinical evidence, I believe that the TIF®
procedure has the potential to bridge that gap, providing a viable,
much-needed treatment option for millions of GERD sufferers. I am
excited to work with the team at EGS, and collaborate with the company’s
customers and their respective societies to utilize the clinical
evidence on TIF to further develop the market for endoscopic treatment
of GERD.”

Prior to his four years at Given Imaging, Mr. Baldino served as a
divisional Vice President for Abbott Laboratories for eight years,
during which he held key commercial leadership roles in several Abbott
divisions - diabetes care, diagnostics, medical products (corporate),
hospital products (now known as Hospira), health systems and specialty
products. His experience encompasses various key customer segments, as
well as a wide range of product portfolios, product lifecycles, new
product launches and integrations. Mr. Baldino graduated with a
bachelor's degree in Marketing from Philadelphia University.

“Skip is an ideal leader to help guide EGS in its mission to advance the
field of endoluminal procedural techniques, and introduce an entirely
new treatment paradigm for patients,” said Michael Kleine, Chairman of
the Board, EndoGastric Solutions. “Through his experience at Given
Imaging, he has a deep understanding of digestive diseases and the
endoscopy market in the U.S. During his distinguished 26-year career at
Abbott Laboratories, Mr. Baldino established an outstanding track record
of consistent and high performing financial and organizational success.”

EGS recently released data showing that the TIF procedure can eliminate
troublesome regurgitation and inflammation. The company will present
additional data at the upcoming Digestive Disease Week®, which runs from
May 3 to 6 in Chicago.

“As EGS continues to generate high quality clinical evidence on the TIF
procedure, and innovate the EsophyX platform we’re excited to have Skip
on board,” said Michael Carusi, EGS board member and General Partner of
Advanced Technology Ventures. “The breadth and depth of his commercial
experience, as well as his key relationships with surgeons and
gastroenterologists, will be vital as the company continues to grow and
expand the market for endoluminal procedures to treat GERD.”

About GERD

Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) is a condition caused by
anatomical changes where the muscle at the base of the esophagus relaxes
between swallows, allowing corrosive stomach acid to wash back up into
the esophagus. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid after a meal to
aid in the digestion of food. The cells that line the stomach consists
of protective mucus that protect it from erosion, but the lining of the
esophagus does not share these resistant features and stomach acid can
damage it.

GERD is the most common gastrointestinal-related diagnosis given by
physicians during clinical visits in the U.S. It is estimated that pain
and discomfort from acid reflux impacts over 23 million people two or
more times per week in the U.S. The standard recommendations for
symptomatic GERD patients include lifestyle changes (e.g. diet,
scheduled eating times, and sleeping positions) and escalating doses of
prescription medications for prolonged periods of time. Long-term,
maximum dose usage of prescription medications has been linked to a
variety of other health complications. Patients implement these
recommendations trying to manage their symptoms and the quality of their
lives becomes negatively impacted by these recommendations.

About EsophyX® and Transoral Incisionless Fundoplication (TIF®)

The EsophyX device was FDA cleared in 2007, and is commercially
available in the United States. Inserted transorally with visual
guidance from an endoscope, the EsophyX device is used in the TIF
procedure to reconstruct the gastroesophageal valve (GEV), restoring its
competency and reestablishing the barrier to reflux. The TIF procedure
is a surgical solution that corrects the root cause of Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease (GERD). The TIF procedure is based on traditional
surgical principles and offers similar effectiveness to a surgical
repair with the safety profile of an incision-free approach. To date,
more than 14,000 patients have been treated worldwide. For more
information, visit www.GERDHelp.com.

About EndoGastric Solutions®

EndoGastric Solutions, Inc. (www.endogastricsolutions.com),
headquartered in San Mateo, California, is a leader in the endoluminal
treatment of digestive diseases. EGS' mission is to combine the most
advanced concepts in gastroenterology and surgery to develop products
and procedures that address unmet needs in gastrointestinal diseases.